2023 Lexus RX vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, showcased a more commanding presence with its updated styling. The new front fascia, featuring bolder strokes and a squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights enhanced its visual appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim was stylish, featuring premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims, providing flexibility for accommodating up to eight passengers.

The 2023 Lexus RX, entering its fifth generation, was built in Canada and featured a design that was shorter in height, broader in width, and longer in wheelbase compared to its predecessor. The RX's exterior styling was familiar yet fresh, with a spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design. Inside, the RX offered a modern interior with fewer buttons and knobs, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. The RX 350 Executive trim featured premium leather upholstery and a sophisticated interior design, while the F Sport 3 trim offered a sportier cabin with simulated leather seats and Dark Graphite trim. Despite its improvements, the RX's cargo space remained limited compared to rivals.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and its standard all-wheel drive system proved capable during off-road tests. The Palisade offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). Its fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered more torque but less horsepower than the previous V6, and it performed better at higher altitudes while providing improved fuel economy. The RX 350 AWD could accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately 7.3 seconds. During testing, the RX 350 Executive trim displayed occasional torque steer and body motion over uneven surfaces, while the F Sport 3 trim felt more secure with its adaptive suspension. The RX 350 AWD's fuel economy was estimated at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with observed results slightly higher.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers, with seating for seven or eight. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. The Palisade's passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and its cargo space ranged from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows, numerous cupholders, and a hands-free smart liftgate on most trims.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, with the Executive trim featuring premium leather upholstery and ten-way power-adjustable front seats. The F Sport 3 trim had sportier seats with simulated leather and Dark Graphite trim. The RX's back seat provided good leg support and legroom, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX's cargo area measured 838 litres with the second row in place and 1,308 litres with the rear seat folded down, which was an improvement over the previous generation but still limited for the segment.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade featured a 4.2-inch colour driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on select models. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, allowing remote access and management features.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface multimedia infotainment system, available with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services plans. The system allowed for user profiles and streaming of Apple Music or Amazon Music. The RX also offered a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, digital instrumentation, and available digital rearview mirror and digital key technology. A colour head-up display was available, though it had visibility issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard, along with adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist I and II were available on higher trims, and a full-display digital rearview mirror was offered on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist were also available. The system had some limitations, such as visibility issues with the HUD when wearing polarized sunglasses and non-predictive curve-speed reduction technology.